Deathtrap Dungeon by Eidos Interactive is a game apart. Eidos
is responsible for the exceedingly popular Tomb Raider
series, and they have turned that game engine into an entertaining
swords-and-sorcery adventure that few competitors can match.

As with all Eidos games, the intro is fantastic. It gets you right
into the story with great sound and graphics, much as if you're watching a movie.
They've even letter-boxed it. The setup is pretty much what you'd
expect. In the city Fang, there is a terrible labyrinth created by
the evil ruler Baron Sukomvit. Each year, he invites the greatest
adventurers in the world to try his labyrinth. If one of them
succeeds, they will be granted riches beyond their wildest
imagination. However, since no one has ever managed it, the task has fallen to you.

After the intro, you can choose one of two characters to guide
through the underworld. The male character is somewhat stronger,
but the female seems to be a hair faster. I've played the game
with both, though I found it easier with the woman. Perhaps I've
played too much Tomb Raider.

The controls are similar to Tomb Raider, but there is
a difference in the way the game is laid out. Unlike its
predecessors, Deathtrap Dungeon will change the
view at certain points, giving the game a cinematic feel. At
first, I found the change of angles distracting, but as I
grew used to it, I began to really enjoy it. It really
is necessary. There are items that you need to see that
are not directly in your line of sight, and the game makes
certain you know that they're there.

What I really enjoyed about the game is the feeling of being in a dungeon.
As a long time Dungeons and Dragons player (as well as other RPGs), I
have often longed for a game that placed me realistically into a vast,
dangerous, underground labyrinth. Deathtrap Dungeon does just that.

Another difference between Deathtrap Dungeon and
Tomb Raider is that this is a mission-based game. Each level
tells you before hand what your main objective is. This gives the
game the illusion of chapters, which makes it easier to stop playing
when it's time for bed. Or it would, if I ever went to bed.

The graphics are exceptional, especially if your machine is equipped
with a 3DFX or Voodoo Rush video card. The Playstation version of
the game looks much like the non-accelarated PC version. Both play well.

The sounds are also impressive, as is the control, though a person new
to Eidos games may need a bit of time to become familiar with them.
Fortunately the game-makers, having anticipated the problem, have left
the first area of the game completely devoid of enemies. This gives
you an opportunity to learn the ropes, so to speak. By the time
you've descended to the second level, you should be capable of
handling the numerous creatures.

The puzzles are reasonably intuitive, though you need a bit of
dexterity to get past some of them. The plot and the constantly
changing array of spells, weapons, and creatures will keep you on your toes.

My single complaint is the game save feature. At certain fixed points, you'll find
skulls surrounded by force shields. You can only save the game
at those positions. However the rest of the game is so finely
designed that the save feature is a relatively minor inconvenience.

If you like Tomb Raider or 3D adventure games, Deathtrap Dungeon is for you.

Steve Lazarowitz reads and writes fantasy and SF. His work has been
published in a number of online 'zines and he is the editor of the
Dragonclaw Showcase. His short story anthology A Creative Edge: Tales of
Speculation is due out from Domhan books in 1999.